LAURENCE, Harold (Lawrence)

Harold Frederick Lawrence was the son of Charles and Laura Lawrence of 83 Balds Lane, Wollescote, and attended Wollescote school. He enlisted in the Army Service Corps and joined a Mechanical Transport Company but was transferred to the 7th Battalion of the West Kents. In 1918 this battalion was very actively involved in the Advance to Victory, fighting in the second Battle of the Somme at Albert and Bapaume. In late September they approached the Hindenburg Line at Ronssoy and the West Kents led the attack to control the high ground overlooking the German defences. It was a stiff task and Private Harold Lawrence was killed in action on the 18th September. He was 20 years of age and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois, Lye and Wollescote, Lye church and Wollescote school Memorials. His two brothers were killed in the war: John in the same Regiment on the 12th April 1918 and Howard in the Worcesters on the 17th July 1917.